Coast Mountain News Thursday, April 26, 2012
$1.00 + HST
A1
Vol. 28 | No. 9 Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tour de Bella Coola on April 28th
Serving the Bella Coola Valley eyy and the Chilcotin
Page 3
It rained the night before and was cloudy and blustery all morning, but when the Legacy of Hope Walk began, the sun came out from behind the clouds. Thanks to the Nuxalk Volunteer Fire Department members for letting me climb on top of the truck to get this photo!
Huge crowd turns out for 10th Annual Legacy of Hope Walk CHRISTINA BOUCHER The Nuxalk Nation Snxlhh Transition House’s tenth annual Legacy of Hope Walk was attended by a crowd of over 400 people on Friday morning, April 20. This walk was part of the province-wide Prevention of Violence Against Women Week to raise awareness that help is available to women who have either experienced violence first-hand, are in a violent relationship, or are in a situation where there is a threat of violence. According to the World Health Organization 2002 report, it is estimated that in Canada approximately 1 in 3 women have experienced violence at some point in their
adult lives and that 1 in 10 women are presently experiencing violence. Women impacted by violence in their relationships experience various negative health effects and are more likely to rate their overall health as poor compared to women who have not experienced violence. Violence against women affects us all by impacting the safety and well being of our mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, partners and friends. In 1995, the NDP government took the initiative to declare one week in April as Prevention of Violence Against Women Week in British Columbia. This decision effectively began a movement to encour-
age the public to express its commitment to reducing and preventing violence against women, as well as to raise awareness about the unacceptability of violence against women, youth and children in our communities. The initiative raises awareness for a woman’s right to live free from violence, and encourages the growth in programs that assist women who are fleeing violence. The Snxlhh Transition House has been in operation since 1998, when a group of concerned community members decided to take a stand against violence done to women and children in the community. The House offers safe shelter to women experiencing abuse and also offers
various counseling and outreach programs aimed at stopping family violence. The first Legacy of Hope Walk occurred in 2002 through the Transition house with help from Pastor Rick. A representative from the Transition House comments that Acwsalcta School has always been very supportive of the Walk, with high attendance from Acwsalcta students each year. Bella Coola Elementary students have also historically been present, and this year marks the first year seeing the participation of Sir Alexander Mackenzie Secondary students. The Nuxalk Volunteer Fire Department led the group of walkers through the Bella Coola townsite, providing safety and
leadership. The RCMP were also present to ensure safety for all the attendees. Many participants wore t-shirts distributed by the Transition House with the Legacy of Hope Walk logo, or with anti-violence slogans such as “Love shouldn’t hurt.” After the Walk at Nuxalk Hall, participants enjoyed refreshments and listened to guest speakers Gerald Keisman and Rhonda Alexander, who spoke about the importance of increasing awareness of violence against women. The high number of participants at the Legacy of Hope Walk show that the message is getting out there that violence against women happens too often in BC communities and that it cannot be unspoken-about.